Vice President, Design & Merchandising - Jewelry

Centric Brands•New York, NY

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

Centric Brands is a leading lifestyle brand collective that designs, sources, markets and sells high quality products in multiple segments, including women’s, men’s and kid’s apparel, accessories, entertainment and beauty. Centric Brands is focused on our customers and our brands that will drive the company’s future growth. We are defined by innovation as we seize new opportunities and thrive in an environment informed by creativity and thinking that is both analytical and outside the box. Centric Brands reflects a team built on respect, for others and for the hard work it takes to achieve our goals and build our bright future together. The Vice President of Design & Merchandising for Jewelry is responsible for leading all aspects of the seasonal design and merchandising strategy, from concept through commercialization. This role oversees a cross-functional design and product development organization to create original, trend-relevant jewelry assortments that align with brand DNA, market demand, and financial objectives. The VP partners closely with Production, Merchandising, Sales, and Brand Management to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery of high-quality product while driving innovation and growth. This position oversees licensed and owned brands including, but not limited to, Michael Kors, AllSaints, Kurt Geiger, Coach, Kate Spade, and Jennifer Fisher Jewelry.

Requirements

Extensive experience in jewelry design and development, including materials, construction, stones, finishes, and manufacturing techniques.
Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design, Jewelry Design, or a related field.
10–12 years of design experience with significant leadership experience in jewelry or closely related categories.
Strong creative vision combined with technical expertise in sketching, CAD, jewelry construction, and production processes.
Demonstrated merchandising sensibility and ability to balance creativity with commercial objectives.
Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail; ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; collaborative and team-oriented.
Proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, CAD systems, and Mac-based environments.

Responsibilities

Source market inspiration, competitive samples, and trend intelligence; conduct research to identify relevant trends, materials, techniques, and finishes for each brand and jewelry category.
Review and provide strategic direction on competitive analysis, concept boards, material boards, CAD mock-ups, color and finish callouts, and inspirational materials for internal and external presentations.
Oversee development of initial seasonal jewelry design concepts within the context of overall assortment strategy, brand positioning, and cost structure.
Review and approve seasonal style plans, ensuring balance across categories such as fashion jewelry, demi-fine, and statement pieces, as applicable.
Coordinate across design teams to ensure cohesive brand storytelling and consistency while maintaining distinct brand identities.
Supervise creation and approval of sketches, CADs, specification sheets, and line sheets.
Review product development logs and seasonal boards to ensure accuracy, consistency, and adherence to timelines.
Approve materials, components, stones, finishes, and trims; ensure quality, cost, and aesthetic alignment with brand standards.
Review and sign off on samples, color standards, plating, and finishes in accordance with licensor and brand directives.
Oversee prototype and development reviews; identify and resolve technical, construction, durability, and quality issues.
Partner with Production to ensure jewelry is engineered, tested, and delivered on time, within cost targets, and to required quality and compliance standards.
Build and maintain strong relationships with licensors, brand partners, suppliers, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
Attend trade shows, markets, and industry events to remain current on trends, materials, techniques, and competitive landscape.
Partner with Merchandising and Sales to identify new product opportunities and ensure assortments support sales strategies and customer needs.
Collaborate with Sales on showroom merchandising and line presentations; present seasonal collections to senior leadership, key accounts, and buyers.
Partner with Brand Management and Sales on product storytelling and collateral to support wholesale and retail needs.
Manage ongoing communication with global manufacturers and suppliers to support development, sourcing, and innovation initiatives.
Lead, mentor, and motivate a team of full-time, part-time, and freelance jewelry designers.
Assess and plan staffing needs across brands and categories; manage resources effectively.
Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture and contribute positively to the broader leadership team.
Attract, develop, and retain top design talent; set performance goals, provide ongoing feedback, and establish succession plans.
Monitor and evaluate individual and team performance to ensure accountability and results.